Boogie Lights Awning LED Lighting System

The newer 2016 model of our Passport 217 camper has an LED Awning light rather than a porch/patio amber light.  Our camper has the patio light which is really nice for when we are in a dark wooded campground to leave on at night in case we have to get back from BINGO or just relaxing by the fire.  The LED awning lights are sometimes a little bright at the campgrounds.

Enter the Boogie Lights LED Awning system.  These are available online and also on Amazon, isn't just about everything, and these have more options than a stock system.  These LEDs can change color, and have adjustable brightness, as well as sequences if you would like.  We planned to add these last year but things got in the way so I figured I would order them this year early before the season started so I would have some time to properly get them installed the way I wanted.  The instructions were very clear and even had many tips and tricks to help the installation go smoothly.  So,... grab a drink and watch below.

Pre-planning is always an important part of any project, even more so when looking to wire thru a camper walls and cabinetry.

The Installation begins with cleaning the camper well and then mounting the LED strip with 3M Adhesion promoter as well as high strength 3M tape.

I managed to even get some help on this project!  It is definitely a two person project to carefully clean the camper and also to support the LED.  You need to be sure it doesn't get twisted or kinked, as well as not to add tension to it when installing it.

Wire through the wall, with a slack loop.

Wiring things up inside took some time, but it turned out great and I'm very happy with it.  Here is a video of the installation path of the wires.

Cleaned up Switch Wiring inside the cabnets

Completed Switch Panel Installed

The Final Result!

KULED Pantry Lighting

Quick and easy addition to the pantry area of the camper today!

I saw some discussion about these little LED lights on the Keystone camping forums and thought I would give it a shot.  For a few dollars on Amazon, you can purchase a 3 pack of these LED light bars that have an integrated motion sensor.  These will act like those motion lights you turn on at the frozen food section of the grocery aisle as you walk past.  Simply mounted with a magnetic strip that 3M tape adhears to the cabinet wall, they provide a nice light to the inside of the pantry to help you find that package of hot coco mix!

Here is a quick little video of the install and how they work.  ( Click here if you have trouble with video )

You can order them on Amazon at this link here: ( CLICK HERE )

More to come soon!

April is here!! Camper is UNCOVERED!

Here we are!  2017 and it is a April.  We finally got through the ups and downs of the February and March weather patterns, including a late March snow, and can finally uncover the camper in preparation for our first camping trip!

The camper cover has had to put up with a lot of heavy winds this winter and the rain gutters are wearing on the cover, with one of the corners developing a small tear.  This happened similar on our popup camper as the cover worn over front jack and we repaired using a canvas cover repair for a boat cover.  That held up really well and I think we will do the same here on all four corners.  To do so, I'll mark off the corners while I"m on the ladder before removing the cover.

Uncovered!!  All looks pretty good, but will check before our next rain.

Another thing that we wanted to accomplish this spring is to install an LED Strip of lights under the awning but in order to do so, I needed to hunt out the wiring route to get to the main switch panel above the sink where I can tap into the power supply for the 12V system easily.  Unfortunately, I removed the microwave (easily) and found some things that I can honestly say, are the first items of quality that I'm not pleased with in the camper.  Obviously, I'm going to fix this.

 

Microwave Outlet Loose in ceiling and over cut hole

Switch wires and splintered wood from the quick cuts that were made.

So here is our initial list of updates and repairs:
1) Front hitch light replacement
2) Microwave outlet proper securing and new wood support
3) Switch control area cleaned up
4) LED Awning light installation and wire route, fused line, and new switch to the wall
5) LED pantry lighting
6) Repair of the Grey Water Flush tank fitting